Arts & Entertainment
George Lucas’s Star Wars museum could land in Chicago. Married to Chicago investment executive Mellody Hobson, Lucas has called Chicago his “second home” and Mayor Rahm Emanuel is rolling out the red carpet in a bid to capture the new museum. We discuss Chicago’s chances. Read an interview with Don Welsh, Choose Chicago CEO and President.
New York Times obituary writer Bruce Weber was teetering between life and death, and questioning what it all meant in 2011. To cope, he took his second bike ride across the country. We talk with Weber about his ride experience and the book that arose from his meditation. Read an interview and a book excerpt.
In part three of our Vivian Maier series, Jay Shefsky introduces us to several people trying to unravel the mystery of the celebrated photographer.
In part two of Jay Shefsky's series on photographer Vivian Maier, we meet other owners of her remarkable archive and explore the international explosion of interest in her work.
This week, a new documentary about photographer Vivian Maier opened in Chicago. She's the Chicago nanny who was also a secret photographer, and who many now believe is one of the great street photographers of the 20th century. Jay Shefsky first introduced us to Vivian Maier in December 2010. We revisit his original story.
A new book, Victura: The Kennedys, a Sailboat, and the Sea, shows what a small sailboat meant to a famous first family. Author James Graham joins us. Read an interview, a book excerpt, and view a slideshow of photos.
Legendary actor Mickey Rooney died at age 93. We look back at a clip featuring Rooney from our archives. Watch the full 1989 program about child stars called When We Were Young: Growing up on the Silver Screen.
A festival of colors, a spring craft show, and a canine carnival; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.
Jerry Goldner is crazy about owls. Illinois has nine species and Goldner has photographed them all, along with more than 200 other types of birds. Jay Shefsky tagged along with him recently as he photographed what may turn out to be Chicago’s last Snowy Owl sighting of the season. View an interactive graphic about the various owl species in Illinois.
In town for standup shows at Zanies Comedy Club, Chicago native Jeff Garlin stops by to chat about his show “The Goldbergs” and his production work on the documentary “Finding Vivian Maier.”
"L" Cars, Catalpa Avenue, & Melody Mill Ballroom
Geoffrey Baer tells us what's at the end of the line for old "L" cars and more in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey. Read an article and view a slideshow.
Seth Goldberg has profound hearing loss and is developmentally disabled. When he was a baby, doctors said he might never speak or even sit up. But he performed with Josh Groban this summer at Ravinia. We revisit Jay Shefsky's inspiring profile. Watch video performances.
Frankie Knuckles, Chicago's "godfather" of house music, died at age 59. Brandis Friedman has the story of his impact on Chicago's music culture. Watch a 2004 Artbeat special about Knuckles, and read thoughts and reflections from Chicagoans about the legendary DJ.
The clouds have cleared, the weather is warm, and anything is possible. Does that include a winning season on the south side? Paris Schutz has the details on the White Sox' home opener against the Minnesota Twins. Watch a web extra interview with White Sox Executive Vice President Kenny Williams.
In 1975, she became the first woman to cover the Super Bowl, and now she’ll be the first woman to receive a Ring Lardner Award. Jeannie Morris stops by to discuss women in sports, and how she was the woman who paved the way. Read what local female sports reporters had to say about Morris's impact on sports journalism.